Gems of Lake Superior: that’s what 140 years ago the collection was entitled.
It’s safe to say the worth of these photographic treasures, more than 200 stereographs of the amazing shoreline of Lake Superior as captured by an American photographer from Marquette in the 1860s to 1880s is from an historic and geographic perspective so very valuable, but perhaps even more now because of how another contemporary photographer has rendered them.
Jack Deo’s life seems connected to that of B.F. Childs, the original photographer of Lake Superior’s scenes and sites, by some sort of destiny. Growing up in Dearborn, Michigan, as Deo puts it “in the shadow of Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum,” his interest in and talent for photography began early in high school. After university, in 1978 he opened Superior View Photography Studio.
“I intended to display my colour scene photography and do commercial work,” Deo recalls, “But at the same time The Childs Art Gallery of Marquette, Ishpeming and Houghton was liquidating their studio. I bought all the old cameras and equipment, plus thousands of historic negatives that were moved from the Ishpeming branch. One year later the Ishpeming building burnt down.”
For the next 32 years Deo continued to grow his professional and amateur collections of negatives; currently his studio archive contains more than 100,000 images. But it is what he’s done with B.F. Childs’ photographic labour of love that is so intriguing.
“The Childs collection yielded hundreds of stereo, 3D photos and negatives,” he explained. “From 1868 to 1886 B.F. Childs photographed the entire Lake Superior shoreline, including all major towns along the way. He also captured the copper and iron mines, native camps and the scenic beauty. A favourite of his and many other early photographers was the Pictured Rocks. Using the latest computer programs, these 140-year old photos are digitally converted to projectible 3D images. I provide the special glasses necessary to take a trip back in time.”
This weekend local residents have the opportunity to travel first hand via Deo’s time machine to and into some wondrous places. Sponsored by the Thunder Bay Historical Museum, the one-viewing only show takes place at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery July 10, at 2 p.m.
“Wearing 3D glasses, this show lets you experience the depths of the mines, the heights of Thunder Cape and a look through the caves of the Pictured Rocks. You will see breathtaking waterfalls and early views of the ships, mining camps, rivers and towns along the shore of Lake Superior.”
Deo’s 3D gem of a show also travels to Sault Ste. Marie, Duluth, Calumet and Ashland. Here in Thunder Bay, don’t miss this virtual excursion around a lake most everyone who lives beside it has personal respect if not downright reverence for. For historians, not to mention photographers, it’s bound to be a visual feast!
Advance tickets ($5) available at the gallery, the museum or at the door. Seating is limited.
